Mark Lickley will take part in the Great North Run on September 7 in memory of his son Edward Turner-Lickley, who passed away in June 2012 after contracting an infection caused by the Streptococcus bacteria.

In the wake of Edward’s death, Mark and his partner Louise Turner received specialist counselling and therapy provided by staff at the Whittington, in Magdala Avenue, Archway.

In recognition of the hospital’s support, Mark ran the Great North Run last year for Whittington Babies – a charity supporting families of children who spend time in the Whittington’s neonatal intensive care unit.

The film studies teacher, who works at Brooke House Sixth Form College in Hackney, will run the half-marathon in Tyne and Wear for the second time in aid of Whittington Babies next month.

He said: “Edward was born at the Whittington in 2011 and he died when he was 17 months old at the Whittington.

“We couldn’t have got through it, we couldn’t have managed without the support and therapy that we received from the hospital. It was just essential.

“The head paediatrician there was very supportive afterwards and they’ve offered continued support.”

Mark, who lives with Louise and their seven-year-old son Joseph in Endymion Road, Harringay, is nearing his target fundraising amount for Whittington Babies, having already raised £9,255 in donations.

Pia Ingberg, 49, of Queens Avenue, Muswell Hill, became a volunteer for the charity in 2007 following the birth of her son Lukas, seven, who was born three months prematurely and spent time in the Whittington’s neonatal intensive care unit.

The mother-of-one, who is now chairman of Whittington Babies, said: “We are really grateful for Mark’s efforts because it makes a huge difference to what we are able to do in terms of getting equipment for the unit.

“Just to know that people help and people care is wonderful.”

If you wish to volunteer for the charity or find out more, visit whittingtonbabies.org.uk

To support Mark Lickley’s fundraising efforts, go to justgiving.com/Mark-Lickley

Tim McArthur is an actor, singer, director and presenter who is starring in Bathhouse The Musical at Above The Stag Theatre. He has lived in Highgate since 1997 and programmed Cabaret in The House at Lauderdale House since 2001. On April 17 he interviews his dear chum, actress Su Pollard, to raise money the Lauderdale Transformed crowdfunding campaign.

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